Arts

Legs Altitud (Unsatisfied Records) 3/5 The first two tracks (“Jungle” and “Top of the World”) on Brooklyn indie dance group Legs’ new album, Altitud, are forgettable, but the album really picks up on the third track, “Hide and Seek.” Legs’ slower, synth-driven songs are boring and meandering, suited for a movie soundtrack, which is perhaps […]

Jesse Roper Red Bird (Warner/Blue Heron Music) 1/5 Despite Victoria songwriter Jesse Roper’s obvious instrumental and vocal talent, his self-indulgent music on Red Bird reminds me of a cover band you might find at a backyard BBQ celebrating an over-the-hill birthday. Red Bird starts off with a folk sound, moves into a soft-rock lull, briefly […]

Gabrielle Papillon The Tempest of Old (Independent) 4/5 Just as The Civil Wars’ self-titled album gave me a taste for their rendition of the country genre, Garbrielle Papillon’s fifth album, The Tempest of Old, became an exception for my disinterest in indie rock. With haunting beats, banjos, and a wicked fiddle, the first track, “Got […]

It isn’t uncommon in Victoria: a dozen flannel-clad buskers perched along Government Street, amusing shiny cedar acoustic guitars, singing folk renditions of Billboard Top 100 pop singles. Elderly gentlemen romance nostalgic tunes on trumpets and trombones alongside overly formal pre-teens mastering their violins. Indeed, Victoria is fond of its eclectic music community. A selection of […]

Calgary post-punk outfit Viet Cong is making their way to Victoria, a city they are no strangers to. In fact, their old band, Women, actually broke up in Lucky Bar in 2010. But the indie rockers will be steering clear of Lucky Bar this time, performing at the Upstairs Cabaret on March 29. “We all […]

We all want our voices and stories to be heard and, after a lot of hard work, award-winning poet, author, and performer Shane Koyczan has accomplished just that. Koyczan grew up in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories and was raised by his grandparents. All through school he was bullied, but despite the discouragement, Koyczan says he kept […]

Harm’s Way Rust (Deathwish Inc.) 3.5/5 Chicago has bred some disgusting metal and hardcore bands (see: Integrity and, well, Integrity). Harm’s Way are no exception, continuing the time-honoured Chicago hardcore tradition of evil, serpentine riffing and anguished vocals. Rust features 10 harrowing songs of terror, torture and internal struggle, but don’t let that scare you […]

Sarah MacDougall Grand Canyon (Independent) 4/5 Even with Sarah MacDougall’s strong Swedish roots, she showcases some convincing Canadian pride in her song “Sparrowhead.” Let’s just say it would be dangerous if everyone drank when she sang “Manitoba,” like the popular drinking game to the song “Roxanne” by The Police. Originally from Malmoe, Sweden and now […]